Inventory of the Mendel Krim Collection SPC.2022.019
Allison Wall
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2022-06
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Mendel Krim Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2022.019
Physical Description:
1 box
(one linear foot)
Date (inclusive): 1944-1953, undated
Abstract: The Mendel Krim Collection contains the photographs and papers of Mendel Krim, M.D., who served as a United States Army doctor
in Korea and Japan from 1947-1949. Papers include letters, certificates, and records of Krim's military service, while the
extensive collection of photographs capture Krim's experiences abroad.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
The Mendel Krim Collection (1944-1953, undated) documents the career of Army doctor Mendel Krim through both papers and a
large collection of photographs. The extensive collection of over 350 photographs, taken by Krim while overseas, shows the
circumstances and conditions of postwar Korea and Japan through street and landmark photography while capturing Krim's personal
experiences working in Army hospitals in these areas. In addition to the photographs, the collection includes over 500 photo
negatives taken throughout Korea and Japan. Accompanying this sizable photograph collection are Krim's military documents,
including draft and discharge papers, letters to commanding officers, benefits paperwork, and training certificates. Also
included in the collection are two artworks, a drawing of Krim and a painting of a woman, presumably Krim's wife Shirley.
Biographical / Historical
Mendel Krim, M.D. (1922-1946) was born in New York City. After completing the Army Specialized Training Program in Medicine
at NYU during World War II, Krim went on to serve as a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps (MC), a non-combat specialty
branch of the U.S. Army Medical Department. Krim served in Korea and Japan as an Army doctor from 1947-1949, documenting his
experiences abroad through photographs of natural scenery, notable landmarks, fellow soldiers and doctors, and candid shots
of strangers.
Processing Information
Processed July 21, 2022 by Allison Wall
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War II
World War, 1939-1945
War Photography
United States Army
Japan
Tokyo (Japan)
Korea
Landmarks in History
Street photography
Medical photography
Travel
United States. Army
box 1
Photographs, location unknown
1944-1947
Scope and Contents
This file contains photos that are dated, ranging from 1944-1947, but there is no other identifying information provided.
Photos are of Krim and others, along with a few landscape shots.
box 1
Photographs, United States (Texas, Chicago, Wyoming, Camp Stoneman, San Francisco)
September - October 1947
Scope and Contents
This file contains photos from Krim's journey from New York to San Francisco before departing for Korea. Handwritten inscription
on the back of each photograph. Photos include notable landmarks in Texas, Chicago, Wyoming, and San Francisco, as well as
military photographs from Camp Stoneman (California). San Francisco photos include pictures of the military ship that Krim
took to Korea. Also included is an envelope from a photo developer in Camp Stoneman.
box 1
Photographs, taken at sea en route to Korea
November 1947
Scope and Contents
This file contains photos taken aboard USS General C.G. Morton, an Army transport ship, en route to Korea from San Francisco.
Handwritten inscription on the back of each photograph. Photos are of the ship's crew, as well as landmarks and other vessels
seen from the ship.
box 1
Photographs, Korea (Pusan, Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, and misc. Korean landmarks)
November 1947
Scope and Contents
This file contains street photography of people in Korea, as well as landmarks. Taken mostly in Pusan, Seoul, and Yeongdeongpo.
Handwritten inscription on the back of each photograph,although several photos do not provide the city taken.
box 1
Photographs, Korea (34th General Hospital)
December 1947
Scope and Contents
This file contains photos of 34th General Army hospital in Korea, where Krim was stationed during this time. Photos are of
the hospital and of other army doctors, as well as a Christmas event at the hospital for orphaned children. Handwritten inscription
on the back of each photograph.
box 1
Photographs, Korea (Seoul, King's Tomb)
January - February 1948
Scope and Contents
This file contains landmark photography and street photography taken in Seoul, as well as photos of King's Tomb (now a UNESCO
World Heritage site known as Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty). Handwritten inscription on the back of each photograph.
box 1
Photographs, Korea (377th Station Hospital)
March 1948
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of 377th Station Hospital in Korea. Photographs are of the hospital facilities, of Krim, and
of other doctors. Handwritten inscription on the back of each photograph.
box 1
Photographs, location unknown
June - October 1948
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of Krim and others, location unknown (photos are dated but no other information is given).
box 1
Photographs, Korea (Seoul, Incheon, at sea)
April - November 1948
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs taken in Seoul and Incheon, both street photography and photos of other Army doctors, as well
as photographs taken at sea en route to Japan.
Conference photo of Army doctors includes an accompanying paper with a handwritten note listing each person's name.
box 1
Photographs, Japan (Nikko, Tokyo, Sendai)
January - May 1949
Scope and Contents
This file contains street photography and photographs of landmarks in Nikko, Tokyo, and Sendai. Handwritten inscription on
the back of each photograph.
box 1
Photograph, location unknown
June 11, 1951
Scope and Contents
This file contains a group photograph of hospital employees, location unknown. Handwritten inscription on the back of photograph
includes the date and each person's name.
box 1
Photographs, Japan (Tokyo)
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of landmarks around Japan. Location is provided on the front of each photo, but no dates are
given.
box 1
Photographs, locations unknown (with inscriptions on the back)
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains miscellaneous undated photographs from various locations. Subjects include Krim, fellow soldiers and doctors,
and others (relationship unknown). Handwritten inscriptions on the back of each photograph provide names and some details,
but no location or date.
box 1
Photographs, locations unknown (no inscriptions on the back)
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of Krim, both by himself and with others, as well as landmark and street photography. There
are no handwritten inscriptions on the back of these photographs, so locations and dates are unknown.
box 1
Photo Negatives
1948
Scope and Contents
This file contains photo negatives from 1948, sorted by date. Originally, Krim had each set wrapped in a folded piece of paper
with details written on it, including date, location, and subject. These papers are included in the box before their respective
set of negatives. Negatives for this year span from March to September and include photographs taken throughout Korea.
box 1
Photo Negatives
1949
Scope and Contents
This file contains photo negatives from 1949, sorted by date. Originally, Krim had each set wrapped in a folded piece of paper
with details written on it, including date, location, and subject. These papers are included in the box before their respective
set of negatives. Negatives for this year span from New Year's Day to June and include photographs taken throughout Japan.
box 1
Photo Negatives
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains photo negatives, which were originally seperated into three sets, but were not labelled or dated. The first
two sets are mostly landmark and street photography (some of these photographs appear in other sections) and the third set
appear to be photographs at home with Krim's wife and child. In the last of these negatives, you can see the painting of Krim's
wife that is included in this collection.
box 1
Personal Documents
1942-1952, undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains documents relating to Krim's military service, including his draft papers, discharge papers, benefits information,
training certificate, and letters of reference from his commanding officers. The final document is an undated document written
by Krim that was included in a photo album containing the 8 x 10 prints found in this box. It describes his military service
(i.e., dates and where he was stationed)
case 3, drawer 6
Drawing, untitled
undated
Scope and Contents
This item is a drawing of Mendel Krim in Army uniform. Undated. Artist signature appears to be " A. L. Rauion".
case 3, drawer 6
Painting, untitled
undated
Scope and Contents
This item is a painting of woman, presumably Krim's wife Shirley, undated. Artist signature reads "Sendai Japan T. Takada"
